My shower drain runs slowly so we are standing in water by the time we have finished showering. I realise it is probably clogged by hair and soap scum and since the chemical uncloggers only work for a short time, I would like to try a snake or something!! My problem is that the shower is a molded type and I don't see how to remove the drain. It is just a flat one piece, no screws and only has pretty small openings. Will this turn if I try to insert a screwdriver or something? Appears to be sealed with something too. I don't want to bend it! I can't access it from underneath either (I probably could but I am NOT going under our house to do so! :no: )

Any advice is much appreciated!

redline

10-09-2007 09:10 AM

can you post a photo of the drain?

NateHanson

10-09-2007 09:13 AM

It's a metal circular waffle-pattern grate? It should either pop out with a butterknife under the edge (careful not to chip the gelcoat on the floor), or if it's been siliconed in place, run a razor knife around the edge, and then it will pop up.

Then use a snake and you'll pull out a scummy hairball the size of a chipmunk. At least, that's what I found in ours this weekend.

koalamoore@gmail.com

10-09-2007 09:45 AM

Photo of drain

Here is a photo! It does look gross, but it IS clean!! This is the damage over the years by using chemical uncloggers! It has eaten away at the metal finish.

If this is the kind that can be prised up, will the pipe below fall away under the house? Or is that connected with something else?

I don't have a snake but figure if I can at least get this thing off then I will try a coat hanger first! What does a snake cost anyway? I may need to invest in one! I have waist length hair! :)

Anyways, the drain is attached to the shower from below. That central metal grate should come off by itself. I believe the outer flange (the one that's corroded) will stay in place, and the center circle should come out. Try prying it up gently, and see if it will budge.

You should only need to snake about 3 feet of that drain to get the hairball out of the trap. A short snake probably costs less than $10, if I had to guess.

vinnyb76

10-09-2007 10:37 AM

hello all,
try putting a flat screwdriver into the rectangle hole in the centre and turn it.

koalamoore@gmail.com

10-09-2007 11:08 AM

Thank you so much! I'll try and prise the top off later on. It's running ok right now since I used some drano earlier but I know it'll clog up again. Tried to buy a snake at True Value and they had none left but quoted between $8 and $22 depending on type and size!I am in Garland (between Corinth and Dexter!). We used to live in Machias so we were often travelling to and from Ellsworth!Take care,Judie :thumbup:

koalamoore@gmail.com

10-09-2007 11:09 AM

Thank you Vinney,
I will try the screwdriver! :thumbsup:

koalamoore@gmail.com

10-09-2007 11:17 AM

The screwdriver doesn't move anything except to bend the part in the middle. It's very soft metal! This is a double-wide and EVERYTHING is cheap and nasty!! LOL I wonder if wd40 (?) would loosen it?

vinnyb76

10-10-2007 07:14 AM

I wonder if wd40 (?) would loosen it?
could give it a go,theres no harm in trying:)

funnyguy

10-10-2007 02:56 PM

I had exactly the same problem. I would unclog it and in a short time it would clog right back up. Removed that grate, put in an inexpensive plastic hair catcher thingy, and haven't had a problem since. My wife has long hair, too.